Updated February 10, 2026
Budget cuts and the potential stripping of marine protection in our National Marine Sanctuaries is an imminent threat to over fifty years of wildlife and habitat in the USA. Now, there is movement afoot to weaken the National Marine Sanctuaries Act by allowing industry to bypass permitting and environmental review to install cabling on the seafloor. This precedent setting step could undermine the Sanctuaries Act and even pave the way for other impacts prohibited in the Sanctuaries.
On January 9, 2026 HR 261 The Undersea Cable Protection Act introduced by Representative Earl L.”Buddy Carter” (R-GA) will allow activities in Sanctuary waters that would weaken sanctuaries protection, damage habitat, bypass permitting and set a horrible precedent.
Tell Congress hands of the Sanctuaries Act!
Shark Stewards urges you to contact your congressman and support NOAA and our National Marine Sanctuaries.
- Introduced in the 119th Congress, this bill seeks to amend the NMSA to prohibit the Secretary of Commerce from requiring additional permits (including special use permits) for the installation, repair, or maintenance of undersea fiber optic cables within national marine sanctuaries, provided they are already authorized by another federal or state agency. Critics argue this weakens the NMSA by reducing oversight of industrial activity in protected areas.
- Project 2025: Proposals within “Project 2025” aim to freeze the designation of new national marine sanctuaries, examine existing sanctuaries for oil and mineral potential, and “harmonize” the NMSA with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to prioritize fishing interests.
If passed, this law has dangerous precedent- setting implications that could open our National Marine Sanctuary to other extractive effort or harm to habitat and marine wildlife.
On February 27, 2025 the Trump Administration laid off over 800 NOAA staff, including scientists and specialists charged with managing and caretaking of our marine wildlife and important habitat, including archeological, cultural and historical treasures. The budget cuts have fired educators, scientists and managers critical for managing Sanctuary Resources, placing these areas and wildlife at risk. As a group that has worked with our National Marine Sanctuaries in education, science and establishment of new Sanctuaries, this loss of many of the staff we have worked with is devastating.
These legislative actions prioritize extractive industries energy, fishing and telecommunications over the America’s National Marine Treasures and Wildlife.
Sign the letter to support our National Marine Sanctuaries and NOAA Staff.